RHOAD'S
Old English Sheepdogs For You
Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
Member of the Old English Sheepdog Club of America
Member of the Old English Sheepdog Owners Club of Canada
ditzik@sbcglobal.net - (734) 482-6864
|
|
RHOAD'S Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
Member of the Old English Sheepdog Club of America |
Puppy Tails - Left on upon request
Tail Removal In the U.S. the OES puppy tails are removed when the puppies are 3 to 5 days old. The reason for this goes back 200 years ago to rural England where a working dog was not taxed. A working dog was defined as a dog with out a tail. The process of tail removal is also called "docking." 
Is Tail Docking Painful? Does it hurt a puppy to have its tail removed? I can only go by my two decades of breeding Old English Sheepdogs. I had tails surgically removed, and I have had tails banded. I have used six different veternarians over the years. The results are the same. The puppies scream and cry with pain, sometimes for many hours. I have had three puppies die from the procedure and I have seen a puppy go into shock. I have seen most of the stitches come apart because the mother licks them. I have seen many of the tail dockings become infected. I love my breed, but I dread the day the tails come off. 
Countries Ban Tail Docking Many countries around the world have banned tail docking. Some of these countries are, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Cyprus, and the Virgin Islands. 
Old English Sheepdog with a Tail I had an OES with a tail. He was from the Humane Society. He joined my show dog family and lived for 18 1/2 or 19 years. (He was under one year when I got him). I called Winston my “energizer bunny”, because he kept going year after year. He was very proud of his tail. The only problem we had with his tail was when he backed up near the Christmas tree. He was a happy tail-wagging boy and would send the ornaments flying. His tail did not hurt his longevity. 
Adult Sheepdogs with Tails To see adult Old English Sheepdogs with tails go to this Dulux ad on YouTube. This is a very funny commercial from Australia that always makes me laugh. Home Video of Bella and her Beautiful Tail Bella with the Beautiful Tail from Betty Ditzik on Vimeo. For information on leaving the tail on your puppy call 734-482-6864.
|
Home || About Me || About My Dogs || Show Dogs || Photo Gallery || Videos || Families || Nutrition || Puppy Tails || Puppies